This is a superb thriller. In 1975, a teenager (Barbara) disappears from her Adirondack summer camp. Eerily, Barbara’s older brother vanished from the same camp in 1961. This is an extraordinary story of both investigations, and of course complicating secrets abound. The characters are richly described, both well-meaning (but flawed) people and some dastardly villains. Highly recommended – very entertaining.
Category: Mystery
Hell And Gone – Sam Weibe
This is a well-crafted thriller that explores Vancouver’s criminal underworld. Dave Wakeland is a PI who witnesses a mass killing in Chinatown. And of course there are many villains: a motorcycle gang, organized crime, and even police corruption. But best of all, the text is riddled with Vancouver references like the Pulpfiction Bookstore. Thanks Amy, for this recommendation.
We Solve Murders – Richard Osman
Osman is the author of the wildly popular Thursday Murder Club series. In his 5th novel, he introduces a new cast of characters: Steve, a retired policeman; his daughter-in-law Amy, a bodyguard; and Rosie, a best-selling author. This unlikely trio investigates money smuggling and murders, in wide-spread places like South Carolina, St. Lucia, Ireland and Dubai (where a murder-broker operates, of course), all while Amy is a target for killing! The plot is very clever: who is the principal villain? And above all, the writing features Osman’s trademark wit – very entertaining.
Death At The Sign Of The Rook – Kate Atkinson
Ms. Atkinson has written a delightful book about Jackson Brodie, her fifth story about the now ex-detective. All the mystery tropes are present: stolen paintings; a murder mystery play at a decrepit estate in a snow storm; and not surprisingly, murders ensue! The writing displays the author’s signature wit: “neither of them could open their mouths without a cliche falling out (p. 14). This is a clever and completely enjoyable read.
The Hunter – Tana French
This brilliant sequel to The Searcher has retired Chicago policeman Cal Hooper trying to live quietly and unobtrusively in a small village in the west of Ireland. The insularity of the village is portrayed perfectly, with suspicion of newcomers. The psychology of the village includes greed when a scam opportunity is introduced, and there is a revenge motive. Although this is a murder mystery, only one death occurs after reading 60% of the book! Ms. French is a sublime writer of crime fiction, and the ending of this book is particularly well-crafted.
Everyone On This Train Is A Suspect – Benjamin Stevenson
Spoiler alert: there is a murder on a train, a plot device that has been used before, I think. The key to this very entertaining book is the context – the Australian Mystery Writers Festival takes place on a train, the Ghan, as it travels from Darwin to Adelaide. Six authors are invited to participate in literary discussions about their books, but when one is murdered, can the remaining crime writers turn into detectives, to solve the murder? There are wonderful phrases like “knees that click like the Wheel of Fortune” – great fun.
The Last Devil To Die – Richard Osman
This fourth book about the four septuagenarian members of the Thursday Murder Club has the usual crime mystery elements, notably missing heroin and multiple murders. What distinguishes this novel is the emotional content, not just reflections on aging but on dementia and death. Funny, moving and suspenseful, a delicious read.
A Meditation of Murder – Susan Jubey
Helen is an extremely efficient butler to a super-rich couple in Vancouver. Her calm demeanor is enhanced because she is a practising Buddhist. Helen is “loaned” to help a young woman, an internet influencer, get her life in order. Helen is reluctantly exposed to the toxic work of social media, and then there are murders. Helen’s ability to be a calm observer is tested by people without sound judgement. And finally, the setting is contemporaryy Vancouver and a ranch in BC’s interior. Often hilarious because of contrasting lifestyles, this is a pleasant read.
Red Queen – Juan Gomez-Jurado
A mystery-thriller set in Madrid features an odd investigative couple: a disgraced police detective and a brilliant female forensic analyst with an uncanny ability to reconstruct crimes. A secretive organization directs their investigation into a ritualistic murder and a kidnapping. This is a very entertaining story with many plot twists, and happily, this investigative team will return in a second book. Thanks Renee, for this recommendation.
